News
Youth in Philanthropy: My Experience
November 11, 2011
Bianca Salmon, guest speaker at our 2011 Celebration of Giving and student at Methodist Ladies' College, shares insights about her experience as a first-time Youth in Philanthropy participant.
Bianca Salmon (far right) with Foundation CEO Catherine Brown (left), Australian of the Year Simon McKeon (second from right), with Youth in Philanthropy participants.
There’s more to growing up than milestones.
My name is Bianca Salmon and I’m a Year 11 student at Methodist Ladies’ College. I feel honoured to be standing here today, surrounded by individuals who are also concerned with the good of our planet, the good of mankind and the good of humanity. As youth, we rarely get the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of others. That is what is so special about the Youth in Philanthropy Program, that it provides students the unique opportunity to get involved, to become aware and to learn a little bit more about the world that surrounds them.
My experience with the Youth in Philanthropy program has provided me with an insight into a world outside of my own. I know I speak on behalf of all the participants in this program when I say that it has truly educated us about the ability individuals have to create social change, and in developing essential skills, knowledge and an experience in philanthropy.
As young individuals, we feel so privileged to have been given this opportunity, to first-hand visit truly inspiring organisations. Of course, with this came a responsibility, to make the challenging decision of distributing the $20,000 between our three allocated charities. The council selection process had ensured that we all had a very difficult task ahead of us, and throughout this process one thing became extremely clear; that the needs far outweigh our ability to meet them.
From the presentations it was clear that all groups had thought long and hard about their allocation of money, and that they had been truly moved and inspired by what they experienced at their charities, just as we were. From both my experiences and in watching the presentations of the other students, it is clear that our generation possesses a power to make a difference and opportunities such as Youth in Philanthropy have the power to open new doors and launch adolescents into whole lives of service.
YIP has offered us all the opportunity for our actions to speak as loudly as possible. So for these reasons, I thank on behalf of all the students involved, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation for providing us with this amazing opportunity, the charities for allowing us to experience firsthand the astounding work that they do for the Victorian community and lastly to all those involved from our mentors who guided us to the teachers who enabled us to have this opportunity by providing their time.
As our time at school draws towards an end, it is possible that more students lose sight of the world outside of their own. Its programs like these that open our eyes to the big issues and cause the self-concerned bubbles that we often live in to pop. There’s more to growing up than milestones, it’s about creating individuals who are capable and have the moral integrity to face the world and its challenges head on.
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